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The Golden Rule

Amused

Amused

Elite Member
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

The golden rule transcends nearly all religions, and almost all secular cultures. The reason for this became obvious to me nearly two decades ago as I studied ethics and morality; it is the most logical way to live one's life in any given society.

Years ago I made the personal choice to aspire to live my life by this one very simple, yet all encompassing ethical code.

Something amazing happened. I gained nearly universal respect, became more prosperous than I ever imagined I would (which, to me, proved that taking advantage of people seems to backfire in the long run) and am well regarded among those who know me. Even those who dislike me still have respect for me. The last was most remarkable to me. To have the respect of those who personally dislike you is the greatest compliment to the way one lives their life. No one is universally liked. Personalities clash. But when personalities clash, yet respect is kept, that speaks volumes.

The most amazing thing is that I have found is that living by the Golden Rule is actually a logically selfish way to live. I found myself living by it not to impress others or to please them, but purely for my own edification. The Golden Rule is not about altruism, but about one coming to a single logical conclusion: I have no ethical or logical basis for complaint when others treat me poorly if I have not treated others as I would wish to be treated.

No, I'm not preaching here... but I would like to start a discussion on this topic and share in the opinions/experiences of others.
 
The golden rule really isn't perfect. Why? how I would like to be treated and how bob would like to be treated are two completely different things. I may like lots of praise while bob hates it. So by me giving bob tons of praise I am only making bob angry. This transcends all levels. Different cultures expect there individuals to be treated differently.

On a very basic level it somewhat works, but thats it. True morality would involve each individual completely understanding the other party and treating them in the way that causes the least amount of contention.
 
I'm reminded of the time when I was running late to class and looking for metered street parking. I usually park in the residential neighborhood and trek it in on normal days. After circling for what seemed like 30 minutes, probably more like 10, I found a spot. Got out of the car to put money into the meter only to find it had 4 hours left. At that every moment, a "homeless" black man walked up to me and asked if I could spare some change. I gave him the money that I was going to use for the meter.
 
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: TallBill
You didn't even post the golden rule?
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Duh! It's universal. 😛

I'll post it. 😉
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Well, I know that, but you gotta at least post it 🙂 I can't think of a situation where it wouldn't apply, unless you are into torture or something.
 
Originally posted by: Cogman
The golden rule really isn't perfect. Why? how I would like to be treated and how bob would like to be treated are two completely different things. I may like lots of praise while bob hates it. So by me giving bob tons of praise I am only making bob angry. This transcends all levels. Different cultures expect there individuals to be treated differently.

On a very basic level it somewhat works, but thats it. True morality would involve each individual completely understanding the other party and treating them in the way that causes the least amount of contention.
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Thus the platinum rule.
 
Originally posted by: Cogman
The golden rule really isn't perfect. Why? how I would like to be treated and how bob would like to be treated are two completely different things. I may like lots of praise while bob hates it. So by me giving bob tons of praise I am only making bob angry. This transcends all levels. Different cultures expect there individuals to be treated differently.

On a very basic level it somewhat works, but thats it. True morality would involve each individual completely understanding the other party and treating them in the way that causes the least amount of contention.
Click to expand...

If you don't know Bob, ALL you can do is treat him as you would wish to be treated. As you get to know Bob, he will let you know how he wishes to be treated and... GUESS WHAT??? You will treat him according to his wishes because... wait for it... that's how you would wish people to treat you.

 
Originally posted by: Cogman
The golden rule really isn't perfect. Why? how I would like to be treated and how bob would like to be treated are two completely different things. I may like lots of praise while bob hates it. So by me giving bob tons of praise I am only making bob angry. This transcends all levels. Different cultures expect there individuals to be treated differently.

On a very basic level it somewhat works, but thats it. True morality would involve each individual completely understanding the other party and treating them in the way that causes the least amount of contention.
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Exactly! I might prefer cake, but bob the heretic might prefer pie. Using the golden rule in this situation might provoke the war of the pastries.
 
Originally posted by: thecrecarc
Originally posted by: Cogman
The golden rule really isn't perfect. Why? how I would like to be treated and how bob would like to be treated are two completely different things. I may like lots of praise while bob hates it. So by me giving bob tons of praise I am only making bob angry. This transcends all levels. Different cultures expect there individuals to be treated differently.

On a very basic level it somewhat works, but thats it. True morality would involve each individual completely understanding the other party and treating them in the way that causes the least amount of contention.
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Exactly! I might prefer cake, but bob the heretic might prefer pie. Using the golden rule in this situation might provoke the war of the pastries.
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See my post above...
 
Originally posted by: ivan2
the diamond rule:

don't be an asshole.
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Still the golden rule. Being an asshole is treating others in way you wouldn't wish to be treated.
 
Originally posted by: Amused
If you don't know Bob, ALL you can do is treat him as you would wish to be treated. As you get to know Bob, he will let you know how he wishes to be treated and... GUESS WHAT??? You will treat him according to his wishes because... wait for it... that's how you would wish people to treat you.
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This is true. but if the way you treat bob completely offends him you may never get to know bob well enough to be able to correct the mistake. On a national level this can easily lead to war.

Now, if everyone lives the golden rule, then war is pretty unlikely. It is possible to live the golden rule and only ever look like a jerk or a bully to everyone else.

The golden rule helps, but for true morality data on the other party is essential.
 
Originally posted by: thecrecarc
Somehow, this thread contrasts quite nicely with Amused's sig.
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In case you didn't pick up on it, my sig is a joke. It contrasts with everything about me.

It also contrasts with how I took a negative phrase "fuck off and die" and turned it into a positive. 😛
 
Originally posted by: her209
I'm reminded of the time when I was running late to class and looking for metered street parking. I usually park in the residential neighborhood and trek it in on normal days. After circling for what seemed like 30 minutes, probably more like 10, I found a spot. Got out of the car to put money into the meter only to find it had 4 hours left. At that every moment, a "homeless" black man walked up to me and asked if I could spare some change. I gave him the money that I was going to use for the meter.
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what's important is not that you did the good deed, but that you tell everyone about said good deed. kudos to you :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: Cogman
Originally posted by: Amused
If you don't know Bob, ALL you can do is treat him as you would wish to be treated. As you get to know Bob, he will let you know how he wishes to be treated and... GUESS WHAT??? You will treat him according to his wishes because... wait for it... that's how you would wish people to treat you.
Click to expand...

This is true. but if the way you treat bob completely offends him you may never get to know bob well enough to be able to correct the mistake. On a national level this can easily lead to war.

Now, if everyone lives the golden rule, then war is pretty unlikely. It is completely possible to live the golden rule, but never get to know another person well enough that you treat them in any way that they don't see as being a jerk.

The golden rule helps, but for true morality data on the other party is essential.
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Unless you are omniscient, you have no choice but to make the best effort you can, and that requires very little work other than simply treating others as you would wish to be treated.

Your argument of offenses so great ties are cut rarely if ever happens within a single culture, but is more likely to happen cross culture. In that case, a simple study of cultural norms would be the thing to do... because that is what you would wish the other person to do as well.
 
Originally posted by: BoomerD
Meh...that's the pansy version....


Do Unto Others BEFORE They Can Do Unto YOU! 😉
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Yeah yeah yeah. We've heard all the cynic variations.

Those who have the gold make the rules.

Do unto others as you expect them to do unto you

and so on... 😛
 
Originally posted by: Farang
That rule works but you've got to avoid the types that try to walk all over you.
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That's the beauty of it! No where in the Golden Rule does it say one must give up their self respect or fail to defend themselves.
 
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